Planned bike lanes grind gears of Scarlett Rd. business owners

Torontosun.com
May 6, 2019
Graeme Gordon

A proposal to expand the city’s network of bike lanes to a stretch of Scarlett Rd. has sparked opposition from area business owners and residents.

The city is looking to eat up two of four lanes on Scarlett Rd. -- from Humber River to just north of St. Clair -- for bike lanes.

“This is my life right here. I live on the property; I run my business out of this property,” says 49-year-old Marco Sepe, owner of motorcycle shop BSC Moto.

“I’ve been here for seven years… All of a sudden I’m going to have a huge issue … that is going to tear my business and completely ruin my (way of) life.”

If the proposal is approved this summer, paint-only lanes will be installed in early fall and physical barriers covered in artwork will go up at the end of the year or in early 2020. The city’s outline of the proposal notes it will reduce speed to a “more uniform traffic flow” and claims tweaks to the traffic lights can mitigate congestion.

“We have to load up and unload,” says Gus Anagnos, owner of an upholstery shop on Scarlett Rd. “Where do I bring my furniture in? I mean it’s ridiculous. Whoever thought of this, he’s got to go and see a doctor.”

Councillor Frances Nunziata, who represents the area, said there is a strong demand for more cycling infrastructure in the area.

“The proposed lanes would meet the needs of residents who want to have a safe alternative to cars for their commute,” she added.

Residents and business owners say most parking spots are occupied throughout the day by churchgoers, delivery vehicles and customers -- but a city report claims otherwise.

“I’m here 20 years, I see maybe one bike every other day, sometimes nothing,” says Anagnos. “You put a bike lane in if you need one. When you don’t need one, why create a problem and spend all of this money? For what?”

Nunziata countered while there are some residents and business owners who have expressed strong objection to the lanes, many are supportive.

“Although the number of through lanes is reduced to one in each direction, the proposed design includes a painted centre median area which would provide the necessary passable space for emergency vehicles when vehicles in both directions pull to the right as they are required to do,” said city spokesman Susan Pape.

City council has final say on the Scarlett Rd. bike lanes on July 16.